PARASITES OF BLOOD COCKLE (ANADARA GRANOSA LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM THE STRAITS OF MALACCA

This is the first report on the parasites of blood cockle Anadara granosa from the Straits of Malacca. For a histopathological survey, samples were collected for 13 mo from 3 natural habitats: the west coast of Pulau Aman, Malaysia; the east coast of Banda Acheh; and the east coast of Lhokseumawe, Indonesia. After reviewing histological preparations, Nematopsis sp. was found in the connective tissue, gills, gonad, mantle, digestive glands, and foot; trematode sporocysts were identified in the gonads, stomach epithelium, mantle, digestive glands, and foot; and a turbellarian was observed in the stomach epithelium, gonads, digestive glands, mantle, and gills. Remarkable spatial differences were found in the parasitic communities of A. granosa of the Straits of Malacca; however, no apparent temporal variation in the prevalence of any parasite was evident. Nematopsis sp. infection was very common in A. granosa collected from Pulau Aman, with no clear host tissue damage. Trematode sporocysts were observed at all sites, and the gonads were completely lacking in some individuals as a result of infection. A turbellarian was detected without any evidence of pathological damage to the host. From the survey, only a trematode was detected as a potential threat to the natural stocks of A. granosa along the coasts of the Straits of Malacca. Further study should be carried out to identify the specific taxonomic affiliation of the parasites.